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BBB Southeast Texas and Education Foundation are excited to release the complete list of semi-finalists for the 26th annual Torch Awards that will take place on June 6, 2024.
The Torch Awards program honors businesses that meet the highest standard of ethics, excellence, and trust. The businesses and entrepreneurs recognized embody the BBB’s mission to prioritize integrity in the organization’s leadership, its culture, its relationships with customers and its impact in the local community.
Torch Awards for Ethics SM
Large Business Semi-Finalists
Bolton Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram – Port Arthur
Cat5 Resources - Beaumont
Coastal Industrial Services – Port Arthur
ExxonMobil - Beaumont
First State Bank of Texas - Orange
H.B. Neild Construction - Beaumont
Mason Construction LLC - Beaumont
STS Industrial, Inc. – Orange
Valero Port Arthur Refinery – Port Arthur
Medium Business Semi-Finalists
Beaumont Emergency Hospital - Beaumont
Dayna Simmons Real Estate - Beaumont
The First Security Bank – Beaumont
Main Street Veterinary Clinic – Lumberton
RT Technical Solutions LLC – Nederland
Tubal-Cain Industries, Inc. – Vidor
Small Business Semi-Finalists
AGY Enterprises - Kountze
Coastal Roofing Specialists, Inc. – Lumberton
Escoto Tile – Beaumont
Fat Duck Enterprises - Kirbyville
Festus Plumbing LLC – Dayton
Gubers of SETX – Vidor
J Solutions, Inc. – Beaumont
LBS BBQ & Catering LLC – Bridge City
T&L Solutions LLC – Buna
YAD Cleaning Services LLC – Vidor
Micro-Small Business Semi-Finalists
Cruz Events LLC – Nederland
Cobb Family Chiropractic - Beaumont
Harris Consulting - Beaumont
JNK Home and Land LLC - Kirbyville
Light Strike Productions LLC - Beaumont
On the Run - Beaumont
Reed Realty - Beaumont
Spruce Barbershop – Port Neches
The Venue at Belle Oaks – Port Neches
Wheeler Commercial – Beaumont
This is the 6th year BBB Southeast Texas will award a business in the Spark category. Spark is a Torch Award for Entrepreneurship, recognizing younger business owners or young businesses that demonstrate a higher level of character, generating a culture that is authentic in its mission and connection within their community.
Spark Semi-Finalists
409Family - Beaumont
Beaumont WELLness for Women PLLC - Beaumont
Crave Moore Catering & Consulting – Nederland
Orta Gallery - Nederland
The Pivot Experience - Beaumont
SajjiSunSweets - Beaumont
The Shave Shack – Sour Lake
Studio Seale Interiors - Beaumont
TacoBella LLC - Beaumont
TJ Castelan Real Estate Team - Beaumont
TR Media – Port Arthur
Additionally, some of the named semi-finalists qualify for one of the two new categories BBB launched this year: Minority-Owned and Veteran Owned.
Winners and the top 2 finalists in each category will be announced on the evening of Thursday, June 6th, during the Torch Awards: Celebration of Excellence at the Beaumont Civic Center. The event is hosted by BBB Southeast Texas and Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3).
The Torch Awards will again feature the “Leaders of Industry” honorees and the “John L. Bell, Jr. Friend of the BBB” recognitions. Although predominantly a program filled with awards and recognitions – the event serves as a major fundraiser for the Education Foundation, specifically the scholarship program. With the success of the 2023 event, the Foundation was able to expand the scholarship program to include additional scholarship and grant tiers, as well as increasing the Student of Integrity Scholarship program from 6 $2500 scholarships to 8, making it the largest amount the program has been able to provide since it started in 2019.
“It is with great pleasure that we announce our 2024 semi-finalists. We could not be more thrilled with the businesses vying for our coveted Torch and Spark Awards,” stated Darren Erwin, CEO/President of BBB Southeast Texas. “These businesses demonstrate the highest levels of integrity daily and we look forward to celebrating their commitment to trust on June 6th.”
The volunteer planning committee, led by Event Chair April Tolbert and Co-Chair Elton Hollis, is enthused about this year’s efforts to raise the bar even higher than in 2023. They work diligently to exceed expectations and create an exceptional experience with their own distinctive touch.
"The BBB Southeast Texas Torch Awards symbolize excellence, integrity, and trustworthiness. It is a testament to the unwavering commitment towards serving our community with the highest standards of business ethics,” stated Hollis. “The Torch Awards ignite a sense of pride and motivation within me, reminding me to continuously strive for excellence and to always uphold the values that the Better Business Bureau represents."
After a record-breaking and high-achieving 25th milestone, BBB and the Foundation are set to elevate the annual event to a premier and revered evening for Southeast Texas. The night will consist of honoring and celebrating businesses, entrepreneurs, and industries across the region. Attendees can look forward to a reputable auction packed with local and luxury goods, capturing memories with Photobooth321, music by the Andre Harness Quintet, a classic American steakhouse inspired dinner, and a Live Auction with Auctioneer Scott Droddy keeping the excitement up and the crowd engaged.
“Being awarded the BBB Torch Award for Ethics was the greatest honor of my professional career. As a small business owner, it’s rewarding to be recognized for your integrity and dedication to helping consumers in the marketplace,” said Tolbert. “The Better Business Bureau provides a unique and invaluable service to our community. As a consumer, we want to patronize businesses that we can trust. As a trustworthy business, we want to uphold high ethical standards. The BBB provides us that accountability. The BBB seal represents a sign of a better business. The Torch Awards is an opportunity for us to come together as the Southeast Texas business community to recognize and celebrate excellence in business.”
BBB is excited to have the two friendly Southeast Texan personalities also take the stage as Co-Hosts for June 6thevent. April and Elton will bring their wit and charm as they direct attention to the night’s honorees and festivities.
Attendees are encouraged to dress in their glitz and glamour as they step onto the red carpet and enter a celebratory evening for what’s to be a memorable experience.
The 2024 Torch Awards is sponsored in part by Mason Construction, J Solutions, First State Bank of Texas, HB Neild Construction, Tubal-Cain Industries, Coastal Industrial, Lamar Institute of Texas, Entergy Texas, Cat5 Solutions, Function4, American Air Systems, Bo-Mac, Hancock Whitney, Triangle Real Estate, The Daws Law Firm, Best Hospice Care of Texas.
Make reservations for the 2024 Torch Awards by visiting: BBB.org/setxtorchawards or contacting Candace Carver-Brooks [email protected] or 409-527-3718
